BLINN MEN’S SOCCER PLAYS LSU-EUNICE TO A DRAW

(Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information)

The Blinn College men’s soccer team earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Louisiana State University-Eunice in Region 14 play Friday in Eunice, La.

The Buccaneers moved to 8-4-3 overall and 4-3-3 in the region standings.

“The first half was poor by any standard, but the lads really got after it in the second half,” Blinn head coach Michael McBride said. “After we got over the bus legs, we grew stronger and stronger. We created numerous chances in the second half and ended up disappointed we didn’t take maximum points. However, it’s still a great point on the road for us.”

After the Bengals took the lead in the 34th minute, Bucs sophomore goalkeeper Samir Bristol made arguably the play of the match when he made a save on an LSU-Eunice penalty kick. The heroics from Bristol kept it a 1-0 match heading into halftime and paved the way for Blinn’s equalizer in the second half.

In the 48th minute, sophomore defender Malikai Fry brought the Bucs even when he fielded a feed from freshman midfielder Juan Acosta and sent a long-range strike from near the sideline over the head of the Bengal keeper and into the net. The goal was Fry’s first of the year, while the assist was Acosta’s first.

Blinn out-shout LSU-Eunice 10-5, including a 4-3 edge in shots on goal. The teams were even at three corner kicks apiece.

Bristol made two saves and moved to 7-2-2 on the year.

“The South Division is an absolute meat-grinder because there is such parity between the teams,” McBride added. “It makes for some great matches. We expect another one of these Monday when we travel to Coastal Bend.”

The Bucs will visit Coastal Bend College for a region match at 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19, in Beeville, Texas.